[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 37848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18661]



[[Page 37848]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request Form FNS-227 and FNS-227A, WIC Program Annual Closeout 
Report With Addendum

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection, 
the WIC Program Annual Closeout Report with Addendum.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Ronald 
J. Vogel, Acting Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food 
and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection form and instructions should be 
directed to: Ronald J. Vogel, (703) 305-2749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: WIC Program Annual Closeout Report with Addendum.
    OMB Number: 0584-0427.
    Expiration Date: 10-31-98.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection Form.
    Abstract: Nonentitlement programs such as the WIC Program require 
an annual closeout and reconciliation of grants. Departmental 
regulations at 7 CFR 3016.23(b) require that ``a grantee must liquidate 
all obligations incurred under the award not later than 90 days after 
the end of the funding period (or as specified in a program regulation) 
to coincide with the submission of the annual Financial Status Report 
(SF-269).'' WIC Program regulations at 7 CFR 246.17(b)(2) instruct WIC 
State agencies to ``submit to FCS, within 150 days after the end of the 
fiscal year, final fiscal year closeout reports.'' The WIC Program 
Annual Closeout Report (FNS-227) with addendum (FNS-227A) is 
substituted for the SF-269, because a closeout form which maintains the 
integrity of WIC's two grant components (food and nutrition services 
and administration) and captures State agencies' decisions to shift WIC 
grant funds between Federal fiscal years is needed.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 5.7 hours per response, including 
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Respondents: Directors or Administrators of WIC State agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 88 respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 501.6 hours.

    Dated: July 1, 1998.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18661 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P